The Two Ends.

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IT is always good to look at the end of things. The end is often nearer than we think. God has said, “The end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 4:77But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. (1 Peter 4:7)). This we should give earnest heed to. The end of 1891 is upon us. How shortly since it was the New Year! Now it is just passing away. So is it with us. We are passing away.
Whither? is the query.
Have you, my reader, yet been converted? If not, it would be well for you to just now ponder the Spirit’s query, “What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17).) His answer is found also in Scripture. The ungodly “are the enemies of the cross of Christ, WHOSE END IS DESTRUCTION” (Phil. 3:18, 1918(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:18‑19)). They have walked in the flesh, and “THE END of these things is death” (Rom. 6:2121What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (Romans 6:21)). This is, indeed, a sad end; for “after this the judgment” is but the eternal sequel that has no end. Remember, judgment is eternal!
But, thank God, there is a different end to life’s history here. Balaam, wicked soothsayer that he was, knew it, and said, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” It was not, however; for he lived a sinner’s life, and had a frightful death—slain as the enemy of God’s people (Josh. 13:2222Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. (Joshua 13:22)). The end of the saint of God is very different: “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace” (Psa. 37:3737Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (Psalm 37:37)). Yes, peace and life eternal are the portion of the godly. “But now, being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:27). That is a splendid end, Hell is the sinner’s terminus; heaven, that of the saint of God. Friend, which line are you on? Which terminus is before you? Before the end come, make sure of your end, I beseech you.
Come to Jesus now, and all shall be forgiven. Come as you are, in your sins, and your guilt. “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out,” are the sweet words of Jesus. Act on them, and your end will be “everlasting life.”
W. T. P. W.